Nigeria Denies Paying Ransom for Release of Abducted Schoolchildren

The Nigerian Government on Tuesday denied claims that it paid a ransom to secure the freedom of pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.

In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described reports circulating in parts of the media, including those attributed to international wire services, as “completely false and baseless.”

Idris said the allegations undermine the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces in the ongoing fight against insecurity. While affirming its respect for press freedom, the government rejected what it called a narrative driven by “unnamed and shadowy” sources.

It maintained that the rescue of the pupils without casualties was the result of coordinated intelligence gathering and precise security operations, stressing that Nigeria is battling a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise.

The government urged the media to verify sensitive information before publication, warning that speculative reports could embolden criminals and dampen troop morale.

Secondary schools in Nigeria continue to be a major target for kidnapping, with a significant surge in attacks reported from early 2024 through late 2025.

According to an analysis by Save the Children, there has been a rise in school kidnappings in Nigeria since January 2024, with at least 10 attacks affecting more than 670 children.

Since 2014, when Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, over 1,500 children have been reportedly been abducted from schools in Nigeria.

These incidents are primarily driven by criminal gangs-often referred to locally as “bandits”-seeking ransom, although some attacks involve extremists.